Communities facing housing 'mayhem' because of Keir Starmer's new planning Bill

The Prime Minister vowed to “fix the foundations of this nation for the long-term” with a programme containing 40 proposed pieces of legislation.

Sir Keir said change will not happen overnight but his plan would “unlock growth and take the brakes off Britain”.

After a divisive election campaign, Sir Keir said “the fight for trust is the battle that defines our political era” and only delivering real change can “begin to restore people’s faith that politics can be a force for good”.

In his introduction to the Government’s programme, he said: “Rebuilding our country will not happen overnight. The challenges we face require determined, patient work and serious solutions, rather than the temptation of the easy answer.

“The snake oil charm of populism may sound seductive, but it drives us into the dead end of further division and greater disappointment.”

The speech, delivered in the House of Lords by the King with all the traditional pomp and pageantry, includes many of the policies championed in Labour’s manifesto.

Setting out the key aims of his plan, Sir Keir said: “We will reform the planning rules to build the homes and infrastructure the country desperately needs.

“We will level up workers’ rights, so every person has security, respect and dignity at work; we will create a new industrial strategy and invest in cleaner, cheaper British energy; and we will harness the power of artificial intelligence as we look to strengthen safety frameworks.”

But it has already faced strong opposition amid fears that it will put the countryside at risk.

Labour has also been accused of hypocrisy after it emerged half of Sir Keir's Cabinet has opposed plans for new homes in their constituencies.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy are among the PM’s top team to complain to councils.